Inthecountytownofacertainshiretherelived(aboutfortyyearsago)oneMr.Wilkins,aconveyancingattorneyofconsiderablestanding.
Thecertainshirewasbutasmallcounty,andtheprincipaltowninitcontainedonlyaboutfourthousandinhabitants;soinsayingthatMr.WilkinswastheprincipallawyerinHamley,Isayverylittle,unlessIaddthathetransactedallthelegalbusinessofthegentryfortwentymilesround.Hisgrandfatherhadestablishedtheconnection;hisfatherhadconsolidatedandstrengthenedit,and,indeed,byhiswiseanduprightconduct,aswellasbyhisprofessionalskill,hadobtainedforhimselfthepositionofconfidentialfriendtomanyofthesurroundingfamiliesofdistinction.Hevisitedamongtheminawaywhichnomerelawyerhadeverdonebefore;dinedattheirtables——healone,notaccompaniedbyhiswife,beitobserved;rodetothemeetoccasionallyasifbyaccident,althoughhewasaswellmountedasanysquireamongthem,andwasoftenpersuaded(afteralittlecoquettingabout\"professionalengagements,\"and\"beingwantedattheoffice\")tohavearunwithhisclients;nay,onceortwiceheforgothisusualcaution,wasfirstinatthedeath,androdehomewiththebrush.
Butingeneralheknewhisplace;ashisplacewasheldtobeinthataristocraticcounty,andinthosedays.Norletbesupposedthathewasinanywayatoadeater.Herespectedhimselftoomuchforthat.
Hewouldgivethemostunpalatableadvice,ifneedwere;wouldcounselanunsparingreductionofexpendituretoanextravagantman;
wouldrecommendsuchanabatementoffamilyprideaspavedthewayforoneortwohappymarriagesinsomeinstances;nay,whatwasthemostlikelypieceofconductofalltogiveoffencefortyyearsago,hewouldspeakupforanunjustly-usedtenant;andthatwithsomuchtemperateandwell-timedwisdomandgoodfeeling,thathemorethanoncegainedhispoint.Hehadoneson,Edward.Thisboywasthesecretjoyandprideofhisfather\'sheart.Forhimselfhewasnotintheleastambitious,butitdidcosthimahardstruggletoacknowledgethathisownbusinesswastoolucrative,andbroughtintoolargeanincome,topassawayintothehandsofastranger,asitwoulddoifheindulgedhisambitionforhissonbygivinghimacollegeeducationandmakinghimintoabarrister.ThisdeterminationonthemoreprudentsideoftheargumenttookplacewhileEdwardwasatEton.Theladhad,perhaps,thelargestallowanceofpocket-moneyofanyboyatschool;andhehadalwayslookedforwardtogoingtoChristChurchalongwithhisfellows,thesonsofthesquires,hisfather\'semployers.Itwasaseveremortificationtohimtofindthathisdestinywaschanged,andthathehadtoreturntoHamleytobearticledtohisfather,andtoassumethehereditarysubservientpositiontoladswhomhehadlickedintheplay-ground,andbeatenatlearning.
Hisfathertriedtocompensatehimforthedisappointmentbyeveryindulgencewhichmoneycouldpurchase.Edward\'shorseswereevenfinerthanthoseofhisfather;hisliterarytasteswerekeptupandfostered,byhisfather\'spermissiontoformanextensivelibrary,forwhichpurposeanobleroomwasaddedtoMr.Wilkins\'salreadyextensivehouseinthesuburbsofHamley.AndafterhisyearoflegalstudyinLondonhisfathersenthimtomakethegrandtour,withsomethingverylikecarteblancheastoexpenditure,tojudgefromthepackageswhichweresenthomefromvariouspartsoftheContinent.
Atlasthecamehome——camebacktosettleashisfather\'spartneratHamley.Hewasasontobeproudof,andrightdownproudwasoldMr.Wilkinsofhishandsome,accomplished,gentlemanlylad.ForEdwardwasnotonetobespoiltbythecourseofindulgencehehadpassedthrough;atleast,ifithaddonehimaninjury,theeffectswereatpresenthiddenfromview.Hehadnovulgarvices;hewas,indeed,rathertoorefinedforthesocietyhewaslikelytobethrowninto,evensupposingthatsocietytoconsistofthehighestofhisfather\'semployers.Hewaswellread,andanartistofnomeanpretensions.Aboveall,\"hisheartwasintherightplace,\"ashisfatherusedtoobserve.Nothingcouldexceedthedeferencehealwaysshowedtohim.Hismotherhadlongbeendead.
IdonotknowwhetheritwasEdward\'sownambitionorhisproudfather\'swishesthathadledhimtoattendtheHamleyassemblies.I
shouldconjecturethelatter,forEdwardhadofhimselftoomuchgoodtastetowishtointrudeintoanysociety.Intheopinionofalltheshire,nosocietyhadmorereasontoconsideritselfselectthanthatwhichmetateveryfullmoonintheHamleyassembly-room,anexcrescencebuiltontotheprincipalinninthetownbythejointsubscriptionofallthecountyfamilies.Intothosechoiceandmysteriousprecinctsnotownspersonwaseverallowedtoenter;noprofessionalmanmightsethisfoottherein;noinfantryofficersawtheinteriorofthatball,orthatcard-room.Theoldoriginalsubscriberswouldfainhavehadamanprovehissixteenquarteringsbeforehemightmakehisbowtothequeenofthenight;buttheoldoriginalfoundersoftheHamleyassembliesweredroppingoff;minuetshadvanishedwiththem,countrydanceshaddiedaway;quadrilleswereinhighvogue——nay,oneortwoofthehighmagnatesof——shireweretryingtointroducewaltzing,astheyhadseenitinLondon,whereithadcomeinwiththevisitofthealliedsovereigns,whenEdwardWilkinsmadehisdebutontheseboards.Hehadbeenatmanysplendidassembliesabroad,butstillthelittleoldballroomattachedtotheGeorgeInninhisnativetownwastohimaplacegranderandmoreawfulthanthemostmagnificentsaloonshehadseeninParisorRome.
Helaughedathimselfforthisunreasonablefeelingofawe;butthereitwasnotwithstanding.Hehadbeendiningatthehouseofoneofthelessergentry,whowasunderconsiderableobligationstohisfather,andwhowastheparentofeight\"muckle-mou\'ed\"daughters,sohardlylikelytoopposemucharistocraticresistancetotheelderMr.
Wilkins\'sclearlyimpliedwishthatEdwardshouldbepresentedattheHamleyassembly-rooms.ButmanyasquiregloweredandlookedblackattheintroductionofWilkinstheattorney\'ssonintothesacredprecincts;andperhapstherewouldhavebeenmuchmoremortificationthanpleasureinthisassemblytotheyoungman,haditnotbeenforanincidentthatoccurredprettylateintheevening.Thelord-
lieutenantofthecountyusuallycamewithalargepartytotheHamleyassembliesonceinaseason;andthisnighthewasexpected,andwithhimafashionableduchessandherdaughters.Buttimeworeon,andtheydidnotmaketheirappearance.Atlasttherewasarustlingandabustling,andinsailedthesuperbparty.Forafewminutesdancingwasstopped;theearlledtheduchesstoasofa;someoftheiracquaintancescameuptospeaktothem;andthenthequadrilleswerefinishedinratheraflatmanner.Acountrydancefollowed,inwhichnoneofthelord-lieutenant\'spartyjoined;thentherewasaconsultation,arequest,aninspectionofthedancers,amessagetotheorchestra,andthebandstruckupawaltz;theduchess\'sdaughtersflewofftothemusic,andsomemoreyoungladiesseemedreadytofollow,but,alas!therewasalackofgentlemenacquaintedwiththenew-fashioneddance.OneofthestewardsbethoughthimofyoungWilkins,onlyjustreturnedfromtheContinent.Edwardwasabeautifuldancer,andwaltzedtoadmiration.
ForhisnextpartnerhehadoneoftheLady——s;fortheduchess,towhomthe——shiresquiresandtheirlittlecountypoliticsandcontemptswerealikeunknown,sawnoreasonwhyherlovelyLadySophyshouldnothaveagoodpartner,whateverhispedigreemightbe,andbeggedthestewardstointroduceMr.Wilkinstoher.AfterthisnighthisfortunewasmadewiththeyoungladiesoftheHamleyassemblies.Hewasnotunpopularwiththemammas;buttheheavysquiresstilllookedathimaskance,andtheheirs(whomhehadlickedatEton)calledhimanupstartbehindhisback.
CHAPTERII.
Itwasnotasatisfactorysituation.Mr.Wilkinshadgivenhissonaneducationandtastesbeyondhisposition.HecouldnotassociatewitheitherprofitorpleasurewiththedoctororthebrewerofHamley;thevicarwasoldanddeaf,thecuratearawyoungman,halffrightenedatthesoundofhisownvoice.Then,astomatrimony——fortheideaofhismarriagewashardlymorepresentinEdward\'smindthaninthatofhisfather——hecouldscarcelyfancybringinghomeanyoneoftheyoungladiesofHamleytotheelegantmansion,sofullofsuggestionandassociationtoaneducatedperson,soinappropriateadwellingforanignorant,uncouth,ill-brought-upgirl.YetEdwardwasfullyaware,ifhisfondfatherwasnot,thatofalltheyoungladieswhoweregladenoughofhimasapartnerattheHamleyassemblies,therewasnotofthembutwouldhaveconsideredherselfaffrontedbyanofferofmarriagefromanattorney,thesonandgrandsonofattorneys.Theyoungmanhadperhapsreceivedmanyaslightandmortificationprettyquietlyduringtheseyears,whichyettolduponhischaracterinafterlife.Evenatthisverytimetheywerehavingtheireffect.Hewasoftoosweetadispositiontoshowresentment,asmanymenwouldhavedone.Butneverthelesshetookasecretpleasureinthepowerwhichhisfather\'smoneygavehim.Hewouldbuyanexpensivehorseafterfiveminutes\'conversationastotheprice,aboutwhichaneedyheirofoneoftheproudcountyfamilieshadbeenhagglingforthreeweeks.HisdogswerefromthebestkennelsinEngland,nomatteratwhatcost;hisgunswerethenewestandmostimprovedmake;andallthesewereexpensesonobjectswhichwereamongthoseofdailyenvytothesquiresandsquires\'sonsaround.Theydidnotmuchcareforthetreasuresofart,whichreportsaidwerebeingaccumulatedinMr.Wilkins\'shouse.Buttheydidcovetthehorsesandhoundshepossessed,andtheyoungmanknewthattheycoveted,andrejoicedinit.
By-and-byheformedamarriage,whichwentasnearasmarriageseverdotowardspleasingeverybody.HewasdesperatelyinlovewithMissLamotte,sohewasdelightedwhensheconsentedtobehiswife.Hisfatherwasdelightedinhisdelight,and,besides,wascharmedtorememberthatMissLamotte\'smotherhadbeenSirFrankHolster\'syoungersister,andthat,althoughhermarriagehadbeendisownedbyherfamily,asbeneathherinrank,yetnoonecouldeffacehernameoutoftheBaronetage,whereLettice,youngestdaughterofSirMarkHolster,born1772,marriedH.Lamotte,1799,died1810,wasdulychronicled.Shehadlefttwochildren,aboyandagirl,ofwhomtheiruncle,SirFrank,tookcharge,astheirfatherwasworsethandead——anoutlawwhosenamewasnevermentioned.MarkLamottewasinthearmy;Letticehadadependentpositioninheruncle\'sfamily;notintentionallymademoredependentthanwasrenderednecessarybycircumstances,butstilldependentenoughtograteonthefeelingsofasensitivegirl,whosenaturalsusceptibiltytoslightswasredoubledbytheconstantrecollectionofherfather\'sdisgrace.AsMr.Wilkinswellknew,SirFrankwasconsiderablyinvolved;butitwaswithverymixedfeelingsthathelistenedtothesuitwhichwouldprovidehispennilessniecewithacomfortable,nottosayluxurious,home,andwithahandsome,accomplishedyoungmanofunblemishedcharacterforahusband.HesaidoneortwobitterandinsolentthingstoMr.Wilkins,evenwhilehewasgivinghisconsenttothematch;thatwashistemper,hisproud,eviltemper;buthereallyandpermanentlywassatisfiedwiththeconnection,thoughhewouldoccasionallyturnroundonhisnephew-in-law,andstinghimwithacovertinsult,astohiswantofbirth,andtheinferiorpositionwhichheheld,forgetting,apparently,thathisownbrother-in-lawandLettice\'sfathermightbeatanymomentbroughttothebarofjusticeifheattemptedtore-enterhisnativecountry.
Edwardwasannoyedatallthis;Letticeresentedit.Shelovedherhusbanddearly,andwasproudofhim,forshehaddiscernmentenoughtoseehowsuperiorhewasineverywaytohercousins,theyoungHolsters,whoborrowedhishorses,drankhiswines,andyethadcaughttheirfather\'shabitofsneeringathisprofession.LetticewishedthatEdwardwouldcontenthimselfwithapurelydomesticlife,wouldlethimselfdropoutofthecompanyofthe——shiresquirearchy,andfindhisrelaxationwithher,intheirluxuriouslibrary,orlovelydrawing-room,sofullofwhitegleamingstatues,andgemsofpictures.But,perhaps,thiswastoomuchtoexpectofanyman,especiallyofonewhofelthimselffittedinmanywaystoshineinsociety,andwhowassocialbynature.Socialityinthatcountyatthattimemeantconviviality.Edwarddidnotcareforwine,andyethewasobligedtodrink——andby-and-byhegrewtopiquehimselfonhischaracterasajudgeofwine.Hisfatherbythistimewasdead;
dead,happyoldman,withacontentedheart——hisaffairsflourishing,hispoorerneighbourslovinghim,hisricherrespectinghim,hissonanddaughter-in-law,themostaffectionateanddevotedthatevermanhad,andhishealthyconscienceatpeacewithhisGod.
Letticecouldhavelivedtoherselfandherhusbandandchildren.
Edwarddailyrequiredmoreandmorethestimulusofsociety.Hiswifewonderedhowhecouldcaretoacceptdinnerinvitationsfrompeoplewhotreatedhimas\"Wilkinstheattorney,averygoodsortoffellow,\"astheyintroducedhimtostrangerswhomightbestayinginthecountry,butwhohadnopowertoappreciatethetaste,thetalents,theimpulsiveartisticnaturewhichsheheldsodear.SheforgotthatbyacceptingsuchinvitationsEdwardwasoccasionallybroughtintocontactwithpeoplenotmerelyofhighconventional,butofhighintellectualrank;thatwhenacertainamountofwinehaddissipatedhissenseofinferiorityofrankandposition,hewasabrillianttalker,amantobelistenedtoandadmiredevenbywanderingLondonstatesmen,professionaldiners-out,oranygreatauthorswhomightfindthemselvesvisitorsina——shirecountry-
house.Whatshewouldhavehadhimsharefromtheprideofherheart,sheshouldhavewarnedhimtoavoidfromthetemptationstosinfulextravagancewhichitledhiminto.Hehadbeguntospendmorethanheought,notinintellectual——thoughthatwouldhavebeenwrong——butinpurelysensualthings.Hiswines,histable,shouldbesuchasnosquire\'spurseorpalatecouldcommand.Hisdinner-
parties——smallinnumber,theviandsrareanddelicateinquality,andsentuptotablebyanItaliancook——shouldbesuchaseventheLondonstarsshouldnoticewithadmiration.HewouldhaveLetticedressedintherichestmaterials,themostdelicatelace;jewellery,hesaid,wasbeyondtheirmeans;glancingwithproudhumilityatthediamondsoftheelderladies,andthealloyedgoldoftheyounger.
Buthemanagedtospendasmuchonhiswife\'slaceaswouldhaveboughtmanyasetofinferiorjewellery.Letticewellbecameitall.
Ifaspeoplesaid,herfatherhadbeennothingbutaFrenchadventurer,sheboretracesofhernatureinhergrace,herdelicacy,herfascinatingandelegantwaysofdoingallthings.Shewasmadeforsociety;andyetshehatedit.Andonedayshewentoutofitaltogetherandforevermore.ShehadbeenwellinthemorningwhenEdwardwentdowntohisofficeinHamley.Atnoonhewassentforbyhurriedtremblingmessengers.Whenhegothomebreathlessanduncomprehending,shewaspastspeech.Oneglancefromherlovelylovingblackeyesshowedthatsherecognisedhimwiththepassionateyearningthathadbeenoneofthecharacteristicsofherlovethroughlife.Therewasnowordpassedbetweenthem.Hecouldnotspeak,anymorethancouldshe.Hekneltdownbyher.Shewasdying;shewasdead;andhekneltonimmovable.Theybroughthimhiseldestchild,Ellinor,inutterdespairwhattodoinordertorousehim.
Theyhadnothoughtastotheeffectonher,hithertoshutupinthenurseryduringthisbusydayofconfusionandalarm.Thechildhadnoideaofdeath,andherfather,kneelingandtearless,wasfarlessanobjectofsurpriseorinteresttoherthanhermother,lyingstillandwhite,andnotturningherheadtosmileatherdarling.
\"Mamma!mamma!\"criedthechild,inshapelessterror.Butthemotherneverstirred;andthefatherhidhisfaceyetdeeperinthebedclothes,tostifleacryasifasharpknifehadpiercedhisheart.Thechildforcedherimpetuouswayfromherattendants,andrushedtothebed.Undeterredbydeadlycoldorstonyimmobility,shekissedthelipsandstrokedtheglossyravenhair,murmuringsweetwordsofwildlove,suchashadpassedbetweenthemotherandchildoftenandoftenwhennowitnesseswereby;andaltogetherseemedsonearlybesideherselfinanagonyofloveandterror,thatEdwardarose,andsoftlytakingherinhisarms,boreheraway,lyingbacklikeonedead(soexhaustedwasshebytheterribleemotiontheyhadforcedonherchildishheart),intohisstudy,alittleroomopeningoutofthegrandlibrary,whereonhappyevenings,nevertocomeagain,heandhiswifewerewonttoretiretohavecoffeetogether,andthenperhapsstrolloutoftheglass-doorintotheopenair,theshrubbery,thefields——nevermoretobetroddenbythosedearfeet.Whatpassedbetweenfatherandchildinthisseclusionnonecouldtell.LateintheeveningEllinor\'ssupperwassentfor,andtheservantwhobroughtitinsawthechildlyingasonedeadinherfather\'sarms,andbeforehelefttheroomwatchedhismasterfeedingher,thegirlofsixyearsofage,withastendercareasifshehadbeenababyofsixmonths.
CHAPTERIII.
Fromthattimethetiebetweenfatheranddaughtergrewverystrongandtenderindeed.Ellinor,itistrue,dividedheraffectionbetweenherbabysisterandherpapa;buthe,caringlittleforbabies,hadonlyatheoreticregardforhisyoungerchild,whiletheelderabsorbedallhislove.EverydaythathedinedathomeEllinorwasplacedoppositetohimwhileheatehislatedinner;shesatwherehermotherhaddoneduringthemeal,althoughshehaddinedandevensuppedsometimebeforeonthemoreprimitivenurseryfare.Itwashalfpitiful,halfamusing,toseethelittlegirl\'sgrave,thoughtfulwaysandmodesofspeech,asiftryingtoactuptothedignityofherplaceasherfather\'scompanion,tillsometimesthelittleheadnoddedofftoslumberinthemiddleoflispingsomewiselittlespeech.\"Old-fashioned,\"thenursescalledher,andprophesiedthatshewouldnotlivelonginconsequenceofherold-
fashionedness.Butinsteadofthefulfilmentofthisprophecy,thefatbrightbabywasseizedwithfits,andwaswell,ill,anddeadinaday!Ellinor\'sgriefwassomethingalarming,fromitsquietnessandconcealment.Shewaitedtillshewasleft——asshethought——aloneatnights,andthensobbedandcriedherpassionatecryfor\"Baby,baby,comebacktome——comeback;\"tilleveryonefearedforthehealthofthefraillittlegirlwhosechildishaffectionshadhadtostandtwosuchshocks.Herfatherputasideallbusiness,allpleasureofeverykind,towinhisdarlingfromhergrief.Nomothercouldhavedonemore,notenderestnursedonehalfsomuchasMr.
WilkinsthendidforEllinor.
Ifithadnotbeenforhimshewouldhavejustdiedofhergrief.Asitwas,sheovercameit——butslowly,wearily——hardlylettingherselfloveanyoneforsometime,asifsheinstinctivelyfearedlestallherstrongattachmentsshouldfindasuddenendindeath.Herlove——
thusdammedupintoasmallspace——atlastburstitsbanks,andoverflowedonherfather.Itwasarichrewardtohimforallhiscareofher,andhetookdelight——perhapsaselfishdelight——inallthemanyprettywayssheperpetuallyfoundofconvincinghim,ifhehadneededconviction,thathewaseverthefirstobjectwithher.
Thenursetoldhimthathalfanhourorsobeforetheearliesttimeatwhichhecouldbeexpectedhomeintheevenings,MissEllinorbegantofoldupherdoll\'sthingsandlulltheinanimatetreasuretosleep.Thenshewouldsitandlistenwithanintensityofattentionforhisfootstep.OncethenursehadexpressedsomewonderatthedistanceatwhichEllinorcouldhearherfather\'sapproach,sayingthatshehadlistenedandcouldnothearasound,towhichEllinorhadreplied:
\"Ofcourseyoucannot;heisnotyourpapa!\"
Then,whenhewentawayinthemorning,afterhehadkissedher,Ellinorwouldruntoacertainwindowfromwhichshecouldwatchhimupthelane,nowhiddenbehindahedge,nowreappearingthroughanopenspace,againoutofsight,tillhereachedagreatoldbeech-
tree,whereforaninstantmoreshesawhim.Andthenshewouldturnawaywithasigh,sometimesreassuringherunspokenfearsbysayingsoftlytoherself,\"Hewillcomeagainto-night.\"
Mr.Wilkinslikedtofeelhischilddependentonhimforallherpleasures.Hewasevenalittlejealousofanyonewhodevisedatreatorconferredapresent,thefirstnewsofwhichdidnotcomefromorthroughhim.
AtlastitwasnecessarythatEllinorshouldhavesomemoreinstructionthanhergoodoldnursecouldgive.Herfatherdidnotcaretotakeuponhimselftheofficeofteacher,whichhethoughtheforesawwouldnecessitateoccasionalblame,anoccasionalexerciseofauthority,whichmightpossiblyrenderhimlessidolizedbyhislittlegirl;sohecommissionedLadyHolstertochooseoutoneamonghermanyprotegeesforagovernesstohisdaughter.Now,LadyHolster,whokeptasortofamateurcountyregister-office,wasonlytoogladtobemadeofuseinthisway;butwhensheinquiredalittlefurtherastothesortofpersonrequired,allshecouldextractfromMr.Wilkinswas:
\"Youknowthekindofeducationaladyshouldhave,andwill,Iamsure,chooseagovernessforEllinorbetterthanIcoulddirectyou.
Only,please,choosesomeonewhowillnotmarryme,andwhowillletEllinorgoonmakingmytea,anddoingprettymuchwhatshelikes,forsheissogoodtheyneednottrytomakeherbetter,onlytoteachherwhataladyshouldknow.\"
MissMonrowasselected——aplain,intelligent,quietwomanofforty——
anditwasdifficulttodecidewhethersheorMr.Wilkinstookthemostpainstoavoideachother,actingwithregardtoEllinor,prettymuchlikethefamousAdamandEveintheweather-glass:whentheonecameouttheotherwentin.MissMonrohadbeentossedaboutandoverworkedquiteenoughinherlifenottovaluetheprivilegeandindulgenceofhereveningstoherself,hercomfortableschoolroom,herquietcozyteas,herbook,orherletter-writingafterwards.BymutualagreementshedidnotinterferewithEllinorandherwaysandoccupationsontheeveningswhenthegirlhadnotherfatherforcompanion;andtheseoccasionsbecamemoreandmorefrequentasyearspassedon,andthedeepshadowwaslightenedwhichthesuddendeaththathadvisitedhishouseholdhadcastoverhim.AsIhavesaidbefore,hewasalwaysapopularmanatdinner-parties.Hisamountofintelligenceandaccomplishmentwasrarein——shire,andifitrequiredmorewinethanformerlytobringhisconversationuptothedesiredpointofrangeandbrilliancy,winewasnotanarticlesparedorgrudgedatthecountydinner-tables.OccasionallyhisbusinesstookhimuptoLondon.Hurriedasthesejourneysmightbe,heneverreturnedwithoutanewgame,anewtoyofsomekind,to\"makehomepleasanttohislittlemaid,\"asheexpressedhimself.
Heliked,too,toseewhatwasdoinginart,orinliterature;andashegaveprettyextensiveordersforanythingheadmired,hewasalmostsuretobefolloweddowntoHamleybyoneortwopackagesorparcels,thearrivalandopeningofwhichbegansoontoformthepleasantepochsinEllinor\'sgravethoughhappylife.
TheonlypersonofhisownstandingwithwhomMr.WilkinskeptupanyintercourseinHamleywasthenewclergyman,abachelor,abouthisownage,alearnedman,afellowofhiscollege,whosefirstclaimonMr.Wilkins\'sattentionwasthefactthathehadbeentravelling-
bachelorforhisuniversity,andhadconsequentlybeenontheContinentabouttheverysametwoyearsthatMr.Wilkinshadbeenthere;andalthoughtheyhadnevermet,yettheyhadmanycommonacquaintancesandcommonrecollectionstotalkoverofthisperiod,which,afterall,hadbeenaboutthemostbrightandhopefulofMr.
Wilkins\'slife.
Mr.Nesshadanoccasionalpupil;thatistosay,heneverputhimselfoutofthewaytoobtainpupils,butdidnotrefusetheentreatiessometimesmadetohimthathewouldprepareayoungmanforcollege,byallowingthesaidyoungmantoresideandreadwithhim.\"Ness\'smen\"tookratherhighhonours,forthetutor,tooindolenttofindoutworkforhimself,hadacertainprideindoingwelltheworkthatwasfoundforhim.
WhenEllinorwassomewhereaboutfourteen,ayoungMr.CorbetcametobepupiltoMr.Ness.Herfatheralwayscalledontheyoungmenreadingwiththeclergyman,andaskedthemtohishouse.Hishospitalityhadincourseoftimelostitsrechercheandelegantcharacter,butwasalwaysgenerous,andoftenprofuse.Besides,itwasinhischaractertolikethejoyous,thoughtlesscompanyoftheyoungbetterthanthatoftheold——giventhesameamountofrefinementandeducationinboth.
Mr.Corbetwasayoungmanofverygoodfamily,fromadistantcounty.Ifhischaracterhadnotbeensograveanddeliberate,hisyearswouldonlyhaveentitledhimtobecalledaboy,forhewasbuteighteenatthetimewhenhecametoreadwithMr.Ness.Butmanymenoffive-and-twentyhavenotreflectedsodeeplyasthisyoungMr.
Corbetalreadyhad.Hehadconsideredandalmostmaturedhisplanforlife;hadascertainedwhatobjectshedesiredmosttoaccomplishinthedimfuture,whichistomanyathisageonlyashapelessmist;
andhadresolvedoncertainsteadycoursesofactionbywhichsuchobjectsweremostlikelytobesecured.Ayoungerson,hisfamilyconnectionsandfamilyinterestpre-arrangedalegalcareerforhim;
anditwasinaccordancewithhisowntastesandtalents.All,however,whichhisfatherhopedforhimwas,thathemightbeabletomakeanincomesufficientforagentlemantoliveon.OldMr.Corbetwashardlytobecalledambitious,or,ifhewere,hisambitionwaslimitedtoviewsfortheeldestson.ButRalphintendedtobeadistinguishedlawyer,notsomuchforthevisionofthewoolsack,whichIsupposedancesbeforetheimaginationofeveryyounglawyer,asforthegrandintellectualexercise,andconsequentpowerovermankind,thatdistinguishedlawyersmayalwayspossessiftheychoose.AseatinParliament,statesmanship,andallthegreatscopeforapowerfulandactivemindthatlayoneachsideofsuchacareer——theseweretheobjectswhichRalphCorbetsetbeforehimself.
Totakehighhonoursatcollegewasthefirststeptobeaccomplished;andinordertoachievethisRalphhad,notpersuaded——
persuasionwasaweakinstrumentwhichhedespised——butgravelyreasonedhisfatherintoconsentingtopaythelargesumwhichMr.
Nessexpectedwithapupil.Thegood-naturedoldsquirewasratherpressedforreadymoney,butsoonerthanlistentoanargumentinsteadoftakinghisnapafterdinnerhewouldhaveyieldedanything.ButthisdidnotsatisfyRalph;hisfather\'sreasonmustbeconvincedofthedesirabilityofthestep,aswellashisweakwillgiveway.Thesquirelistened,lookedwise,sighed;spokeofEdward\'sextravaganceandthegirls\'expenses,grewsleepy,andsaid,\"Verytrue,\"\"Thatisbutreasonable,certainly,\"glancedatthedoor,andwonderedwhenhissonwouldhaveendedhistalkingandgointothedrawing-room;andatlengthfoundhimselfwritingthedesiredlettertoMr.Ness,consentingtoeverything,termsandall.
Mr.Nessneverhadamoresatisfactorypupil;onewhomhecouldtreatmoreasanintellectualequal.
Mr.Corbet,asRalphwasalwayscalledinHamley,wasresoluteinhiscultivationofhimself,evenexceedingwhathistutordemandedofhim.Hewasgreedyofinformationinthehoursnotdevotedtoabsolutestudy.Mr.Nessenjoyedgivinginformation,butmostofallhelikedthehardtoughargumentsonallmetaphysicalandethicalquestionsinwhichMr.Corbetdelightedtoengagehim.Theylivedtogetherontermsofhappyequality,havingthusmuchincommon.
Theywereessentiallydifferent,however,althoughthereweresomanypointsofresemblance.Mr.Nesswasunworldlyasfarastheideaofrealunworldlinessiscompatiblewithaturnforself-indulgenceandindolence;whileMr.Corbetwasdeeply,radicallyworldly,yetfortheaccomplishmentofhisobjectcoulddenyhimselfallthecarelesspleasuresnaturaltohisage.Thetutorandpupilallowedthemselvesonefrequentrelaxation,thatofMr.Wilkins\'scompany.Mr.Nesswouldstrolltotheofficeafterthesixhours\'hardreadingwereover——leavingMr.Corbetstillbentoverthetable,bookbestrewn——
andseewhatMr.Wilkins\'sengagementswere.Ifhehadnothingbettertodothatevening,hewaseitheraskedtodineattheparsonage,orhe,inhiscarelesshospitableway,invitedtheothertwotodinewithhim,Ellinorformingthefourthattable,asfarasseatswent,althoughherdinnerhadbeeneatenearlywithMissMonro.
Shewaslittleandslightofherage,andherfatherneverseemedtounderstandhowshewaspassingoutofchildhood.Yetwhileinstatureshewaslikeachild;inintellect,inforceofcharacter,instrengthofclingingaffection,shewasawoman.Theremightbemuchofthesimplicityofachildabouther,therewaslittleoftheundevelopedgirl,varyingfromdaytodaylikeanAprilsky,carelessastowhichwayherowncharacteristending.Sothetwoyoungpeoplesatwiththeirelders,andbothrelishedthecompanytheywerethusprematurelythrowninto.Mr.Corbettalkedasmuchaseitheroftheothertwogentlemen;opposinganddisputingonanyside,asiftofindouthowmuchhecouldurgeagainstreceivedopinions.Ellinorsatsilent;herdarkeyesflashingfromtimetotimeinvehementinterest——sometimesinvehementindignationifMr.Corbet,ridinga-
tiltateveryone,venturedtoattackherfather.Hesawhowthiscourseexcitedher,andratherlikedpursuingitinconsequence;hethoughtitonlyamusedhim.
AnotherwayinwhichEllinorandMr.Corbetwerethrowntogetheroccasionallywasthis:Mr.NessandMr.WilkinssharedthesameTimesbetweenthem;anditwasEllinor\'sdutytoseethatthepaperwasregularlytakenfromherfather\'shousetotheparsonage.Herfatherlikedtodawdleoverit.UntilMr.Corbethadcometolivewithhim,Mr.Nesshadnotmuchcaredatwhattimeitwaspassedontohim;buttheyoungmantookastronginterestinallpublicevents,andespeciallyinallthatwassaidaboutthem.Hegrewimpatientifthepaperwasnotforthcoming,andwouldsetoffhimselftogoforit,sometimesmeetingthepenitentbreathlessEllinorinthelonglanewhichledfromHamleytoMr.Wilkins\'shouse.Atfirstheusedtoreceivehereager\"Oh!Iamsosorry,Mr.Corbet,butpapahasonlyjustdonewithit,\"rathergruffly.Afteratimehehadthegracetotellheritdidnotsignify;andby-and-byhewouldturnbackwithhertogivehersomeadviceabouthergarden,orherplants——forhismotherandsisterswerefirst-ratepracticalgardeners,andhehimselfwas,asheexpressedit,\"acapitalconsultingphysicianforasicklyplant.\"
Allthistimehisvoice,hisstep,neverraisedthechild\'scolouroneshadethehigher,nevermadeherheartbeattheleastquicker,astheslightestsignofherfather\'sapproachwaswonttodo.ShelearnttorelyonMr.Corbetforadvice,foralittleoccasionalsympathy,andformuchcondescendingattention.Healsogavehermorefault-findingthanalltherestoftheworldputtogether;and,curiouslyenough,shewasgratefultohimforit,forshereallywashumbleandwishedtoimprove.Helikedtheattitudeofsuperioritywhichthisimpliedandexercisedrightgavehim.Theywereverygoodfriendsatpresent.Nothingmore.
AllthistimeIhavespokenonlyofMr.Wilkins\'slifeashestoodinrelationtohisdaughter.Butthereisfarmoretobesaidaboutit.
Afterhiswife\'sdeath,hewithdrewhimselffromsocietyforayearortwoinamorepositiveanddecidedmannerthaniscommonwithwidowers.Itwasduringthisretirementofhisthatherivetedhislittledaughter\'sheartinsuchawayastoinfluenceallherfuturelife.
Whenhebegantogooutagain,itmighthavebeenperceived——hadanyonecaredtonotice——howmuchthedifferentcharactersofhisfatherandwifehadinfluencedhimandkepthimsteady.Notthathebrokeoutintoanyimmoralconduct,buthegaveuptimetopleasure,whichbotholdMr.WilkinsandLetticewouldhavequietlyinducedhimtospendintheoffice,superintendinghisbusiness.Hisindulgenceinhunting,andallfieldsports,hadhithertobeenonlyoccasional;
theynowbecamehabitual,asfarastheseasonspermitted.HesharedamoorinScotlandwithoneoftheHolstersoneyear,persuadinghimselfthatthebracingairwasgoodforEllinor\'shealth.Buttheyearafterwardshetookanother,thistimejoiningwithacomparativestranger;andonthismoortherewasnohousetowhichitwasfittobringachildandherattendants.HepersuadedhimselfthatbyfrequentjourneyshecouldmakeupforhisabsencesfromHamley.Butjourneyscostmoney;andhewasoftenawayfromhisofficewhenimportantbusinessrequiredattendingto.TherewassometalkofanewattorneysettingupinHamley,tobesupportedbyoneortwoofthemoreinfluentialcountyfamilies,whohadfoundWilkinsnotsoattentiveashisfather.SirFrankHolstersentforhisrelation,andtoldhimofthisproject,speakingtohim,atthesametime,inprettyroundtermsonthefollyofthelifehewasleading.Foolishitcertainlywas,andassuchMr.Wilkinswassecretlyacknowledgingit;butwhenSirFrank,lashinghimself,begantotalkofhishearer\'spresumptioninjoiningthehunt,inapingthemodeoflifeandamusementsofthelandedgentry,Edwardfiredup.HeknewhowmuchSirFrankwasdipped,andcomparingitwiththeroundsumhisownfatherhadlefthim,hesaidsomeplaintruthstoSirFrankwhichthelatterneverforgave,andhenceforththerewasnointercoursebetweenHolsterCourtandFordBank,asMr.EdwardWilkinshadchristenedhisfather\'shouseonhisfirstreturnfromtheContinent.
Theconversationhadtwoconsequencesbesidestheimmediateoneofthequarrel.Mr.Wilkinsadvertisedforaresponsibleandconfidentialclerktoconductthebusinessunderhisownsuperintendence;andhealsowrotetotheHeralds\'CollegetoaskifhedidnotbelongtothefamilybearingthesamenameinSouthWales——
thosewhohavesincereassumedtheirancientnameofDeWinton.
Bothapplicationswerefavorablyanswered.Askilful,experienced,middle-agedclerkwasrecommendedtohimbyoneoftheprincipallegalfirmsinLondon,andimmediatelyengagedtocometoHamleyathisownterms;whichwereprettyhigh.But,asMr.Wilkinssaiditwasworthanymoneytopayfortherelieffromconstantresponsibilitywhichsuchabusinessashisinvolved,somepeopleremarkedthathehadneverappearedtofeeltheresponsibilityverymuchhitherto,aswitnesshisabsencesinScotland,andhisvarioussocialengagementswhenathome;ithadbeenverydifferent(theysaid)inhisfather\'sday.TheHeralds\'CollegeheldouthopesofaffiliatinghimtotheSouthWalesfamily,butitwouldrequiretimeandmoneytomaketherequisiteinquiriesandsubstantiatetheclaim.
Now,inmanyaplacetherewouldbenonetocontesttherightamanmighthavetoassertthathebelongedtosuchandsuchafamily,oreventoassumetheirarms.Butitwasotherwisein——shire.
Everyonewasupingenealogyandheraldry,andconsideredfilchinganameandapedigreeafarworsesinthananyofthosementionedontheCommandments.TherewerethoseamongthemwhowoulddoubtanddisputeeventhedecisionoftheHeralds\'College;butwithit,ifinhisfavour,Mr.Wilkinsintendedtobesatisfied,andaccordinglyhewroteinreplytotheirlettertosay,thatofcoursehewasawaresuchinquirieswouldtakeaconsiderablesumofmoney,butstillhewishedthemtobemade,andthatspeedily.
BeforetheendoftheyearhewentuptoLondontoorderabroughamtobebuilt(forEllinortodriveoutinwetweather,hesaid;butasgoinginaclosedcarriagealwaysmadeherill,heuseditprincipallyhimselfindrivingtodinner-parties),withtheDeWintonWilkinses\'armsneatlyemblazonedonpanelandharness.Hithertohehadalwaysgoneaboutinadog-cart——theimmediatedescendantofhisfather\'sold-fashionedgig.
Forallthis,thesquires,hisemployers,onlylaughedathimanddidnottreathimwithonewhitmorerespect.
Mr.Dunster,thenewclerk,wasaquiet,respectable-lookingman;youcouldnotcallhimagentlemaninmanner,andyetnoonecouldsayhewasvulgar.Hehadnotmuchvaryingexpressiononhisface,butapermanentoneofthoughtfulconsiderationofthesubjectinhand,whateveritmightbe,thatwouldhavefittedaswellwiththeprofessionofmedicineaswiththatoflaw,andwasquitetherightlookforeither.Occasionallyabrightflashofsuddenintelligencelighteneduphisdeep-sunkeyes,buteventhiswasquicklyextinguishedasbysomeinwardrepression,andthehabituallyreflective,subduedexpressionreturnedtotheface.Assoonashecameintohissituation,hefirstbeganquietlytoarrangethepapers,andnextthebusinessofwhichtheyweretheoutersign,intomoremethodicalorderthantheyhadbeeninsinceoldMr.Wilkins\'sdeath.Punctualtoamomenthimself,helookedhisdispleasedsurprisewhentheinferiorclerkscametumblinginhalfanhourafterthetimeinthemorning;andhislookwasmoreeffectivethanmanymen\'swords;henceforwardthesubordinateswerewithinfiveminutesoftheappointedhourforopeningtheoffice;butstillhewasalwaystherebeforethem.Mr.Wilkinshimselfwincedunderhisnewclerk\'sorderandpunctuality;Mr.Dunster\'sraisedeyebrowandcontractionofthelipsatsomewoefulconfusioninthebusinessoftheoffice,chafedMr.Wilkinsmore,farmorethananyopenexpressionofopinionwouldhavedone;forthathecouldhavemet,andexplainedawayashefancied.AsecretrespectfuldislikegrewupinhisbosomagainstMr.Dunster.Heesteemedhim,hevaluedhim,andhecouldnotbearhim.YearafteryearMr.Wilkinshadbecomemoreundertheinfluenceofhisfeelings,andlessunderthecommandofhisreason.HerathercherishedthanrepressedhisnervousrepugnancetotheharshmeasuredtonesofMr.Dunster\'svoice;thelatterspokewithaprovincialtwangwhichgratedonhisemployer\'ssensitiveear.Hewasannoyedatacertaingreencoatwhichhisnewclerkbroughtwithhim,andhewatcheditsincreasingshabbinesswithasortofchildishpleasure.
Butby-and-byMr.Wilkinsfoundoutthat,fromsomeperversityoftaste,Mr.Dunsteralwayshadhiscoats,Sundayandworking-day,madeofthisobnoxiouscolour;andthisknowledgedidnotdiminishhissecretirritation.Theworstofall,perhaps,was,thatMr.Dunsterwasreallyinvaluableinmanyways;\"aperfecttreasure,\"asMr.
Wilkinsusedtotermhiminspeakingofhimafterdinner;but,forallthat,hecametohatehis\"perfecttreasure,\"ashegraduallyfeltthatDunsterhadbecomesoindispensabletothebusinessthathischiefcouldnotdowithouthim.
Theclientsre-echoedMr.Wilkins\'swords,andspokeofMr.Dunsterasinvaluabletohismaster;athoroughtreasure,theverysavingofthebusiness.Theyhadnotbeenbetterattendedto,noteveninoldMr.Wilkins\'sdays;suchaclearhead,suchaknowledgeoflaw,suchasteady,uprightfellow,alwaysathispost.Thegratingvoice,thedrawlingaccent,thebottle-greencoat,werenothingtothem;farlessnoticed,infact,thanWilkins\'sexpensivehabits,themoneyhepaidforhiswineandhorses,andthenonsenseofclaimingkinwiththeWelshWilkinses,andsettinguphisbroughamtodriveabout——
shirelanes,andbeknockedtopiecesovertheroughroundpaving-
stonesthereof.
AlltheseremarksdidnotcomenearEllinortotroubleherlife.Toher,herdearfatherwasthefirstofhumanbeings;sosweet,sogood,sokind,socharminginconversation,sofullofaccomplishmentandinformation!Toherhealthy,happymindeveryoneturnedtheirbrightside.ShelovedMissMonro——alltheservants——especiallyDixon,thecoachman.Hehadbeenherfather\'splayfellowasaboy,and,withallhisrespectandadmirationforhismaster,thefreedomofintercoursethathadbeenestablishedbetweenthemthenhadneverbeenquitelost.Dixonwasafine,stalwartoldfellow,andwasasharmoniousinhiswayswithhismasterasMr.Dunsterwasdiscordant;
>###第2章
accordinglyhewasagreatfavourite,andcouldsaymanyathingwhichmighthavebeentakenasimpertinentfromanotherservant.
HewasEllinor\'sgreatconfidantaboutmanyofherlittleplansandprojects;thingsthatshedarednotspeakoftoMr.Corbet,who,afterherfatherandDixon,washernextbestfriend.ThisintimacywithDixondispleasedMr.Corbet.HeonceortwiceinsinuatedthathedidnotthinkitwaswelltotalksofamiliarlyasEllinordidwithaservant——oneoutofacompletelydifferentclass——suchasDixon.Ellinordidnoteasilytakehints;everyonehadspokenplainouttoherhitherto;soMr.Corbethadtosayhismeaningplainoutatlast.Then,forthefirsttime,hesawherangry;butshewastooyoung,toochildish,tohavewordsatwilltoexpressherfeelings;
sheonlycouldsaybrokenbeginningsofsentences,suchas\"Whatashame!Good,dearDixon,whoisasloyalandtrueandkindasanynobleman.Ilikehimfarbetterthanyou,Mr.Corbet,andIshalltalktohim.\"Andthensheburstintotearsandranaway,andwouldnotcometowishMr.Corbetgood-bye,thoughsheknewsheshouldnotseehimagainforalongtime,ashewasreturningthenextdaytohisfather\'shouse,fromwhencehewouldgotoCambridge.
Hewasannoyedatthisresultofthegoodadvicehehadthoughthimselfboundtogivetoamotherlessgirl,whohadnoonetoinstructherintheproprietiesinwhichhisownsisterswerebroughtup;heleftHamleybothsorryanddispleased.AsforEllinor,whenshefoundoutthenextdaythathereallywasgone——gonewithoutevencomingtoFordBankagaintoseeifshewerenotpenitentforherangrywords——gonewithoutsayingorhearingawordofgood-bye——sheshutherselfupinherroom,andcriedmorebitterlythanever,becauseangeragainstherselfwasmixedwithherregretforhisloss.
Luckily,herfatherwasdiningout,orhewouldhaveinquiredwhatwasthematterwithhisdarling;andshewouldhavehadtotrytoexplainwhatcouldnotbeexplained.Asitwas,shesatwithherbacktothelightduringtheschoolroomtea,andafterwards,whenMissMonrohadsettleddowntoherstudyoftheSpanishlanguage,Ellinorstoleoutintothegarden,meaningtohaveafreshcryoverherownnaughtinessandMr.Corbet\'sdeparture;buttheAugusteveningwasstillandcalm,andputherpassionategrieftoshame,hushingherup,asitwere,withtheotheryoungcreatures,whowerebeingsoothedtorestbytheserenetimeofday,andthesubduedlightofthetwilightsky.
Therewasapieceofgroundsurroundingtheflower-garden,whichwasnotshrubbery,norwood,norkitchengarden——onlyagrassybit,outofwhichagroupofoldforesttreessprang.Theirrootswereheavedaboveground;theirleavesfellinautumnsoprofuselythattheturfwasraggedandbareinspring;but,tomakeupforthis,thereneverwassuchaplaceforsnowdrops.
TherootsoftheseoldtreeswereEllinor\'sfavouriteplay-place;
thisspacebetweenthesetwowasherdoll\'skitchen,thatitsdrawing-room,andsoon.Mr.Corbetratherdespisedhercontrivancesfordoll\'sfurniture,soshehadnotoftenbroughthimhere;butDixondelightedinthem,andcontrivedandplannedwiththeeagernessofsixyearsoldratherthanforty.To-nightEllinorwenttothisplace,andtherewereallanewcollectionofornamentsforMissDolly\'ssitting-roommadeoutoffir-bobs,intheprettiestandmostingeniousway.SheknewitwasDixon\'sdoingandrushedoffinsearchofhimtothankhim.
\"What\'sthematterwithmypretty?\"askedDixon,assoonasthepleasantexcitementofthankingandbeingthankedwasover,andhehadleisuretolookathertear-stainedface.
\"Oh,Idon\'tknow!Nevermind,\"saidshe,reddening.
Dixonwassilentforaminuteortwo,whileshetriedtoturnoffhisattentionbyherhurriedprattle.
\"There\'snotroubleafootthatIcanmend?\"askedhe,inaminuteortwo.
\"Oh,no!It\'sreallynothing——nothingatall,\"saidshe.\"It\'sonlythatMr.Corbetwentawaywithoutsayinggood-byetome,that\'sall.\"
Andshelookedasifsheshouldhavelikedtocryagain.
\"Thatwasnotmanners,\"saidDixon,decisively.
\"Butitwasmyfault,\"repliedEllinor,pleadingagainstthecondemnation.
Dixonlookedatherprettysharplyfromunderhisraggedbushyeyebrows.
\"Hehadbeengivingmealecture,andsayingIdidn\'tdowhathissistersdid——justasifIweretobealwaystryingtobelikesomebodyelse——andIwascrossandranaway.\"
\"ThenitwasMissywhowouldn\'tsaygood-bye.ThatwasnotmannersinMissy.\"
\"But,Dixon,Idon\'tlikebeinglectured!\"
\"Ireckonyoudon\'tgetmuchofit.But,indeed,mypretty,I
daresayMr.Corbetwasintheright;for,yousee,masterisbusy,andMissMonroissodreadfullearned,andyourpoormotherisdeadandgone,andyouhavenoonetoteachyouhowyoungladiesgoon;
andbyallaccountsMr.Corbetcomesofagoodfamily.I\'veheardsayhisfatherhadthebeststud-farminallShropshire,andsparednomoneyuponit;andtheyoungladieshissisterswillhavebeentaughtthebestofmanners;itmightbewellformyprettytohearhowtheygoon.\"
\"YoudearoldDixon,youdon\'tknowanythingaboutmylecture,andI\'mnotgoingtotellyou.OnlyIdaresayMr.Corbetmightbealittlebitright,thoughI\'msurehewasagreatdealwrong.\"
\"Butyou\'llnotgoona-fretting——youwon\'tnow,there\'sagoodyounglady——formasterwon\'tlikeit,andit\'llmakehimuneasy,andhe\'senoughoftroublewithoutyourredeyes,blessthem.\"
\"Trouble——papa,trouble!Oh,Dixon!whatdoyoumean?\"exclaimedEllinor,herfacetakingallawoman\'sintensityofexpressioninaminute.
\"Nay,Iknownought,\"saidDixon,evasively.\"OnlythatDunsterfellowisnottomymind,andIthinkhepottersthemastersadlywithhisfid-fadways.\"
\"IhateMr.Dunster!\"saidEllinor,vehemently.\"Iwon\'tspeakawordtohimthenexttimehecomestodinewithpapa.\"
\"Missywilldowhatpapalikesbest,\"saidDixon,admonishingly;andwiththisthepairof\"friends\"parted,CHAPTERIV.
ThesummerafterwardsMr.CorbetcameagaintoreadwithMr.Ness.
Hedidnotperceiveanyalterationinhimself,andindeedhisearly-
maturedcharacterhadhardlymadeprogressduringthelasttwelvemonthswhateverintellectualacquirementshemighthavemade.
ThereforeitwasastonishingtohimtoseethealterationinEllinorWilkins.Shehadshotupfromaratherpunygirltoatall,slightyounglady,withpromiseofgreatbeautyintheface,whichayearagohadonlybeenremarkableforthefinenessoftheeyes.Hercomplexionwasclearnow,althoughcolourless——twelvemonthsagohewouldhavecalleditsallow——herdelicatecheekwassmoothasmarble,herteethwereevenandwhite,andherraresmilescalledoutalovelydimple.
Shemetherformerfriendandlecturerwithagraveshyness,forsherememberedwellhowtheyhadparted,andthoughthecouldhardlyhaveforgiven,muchlessforgotten,herpassionateflingingawayfromhim.
Butthetruthwas,afterthefirstfewhoursofoffendeddispleasure,hehadceasedtothinkofitatall.She,poorchild,bywayofprovingherrepentance,hadtriedhardtoreformherboisteroustom-
boymanners,inordertoshowhimthat,althoughshewouldnotgiveupherdearoldfriendDixon,athisoranyone\'sbidding,shewouldstrivetoprofitbyhislecturesinallthingsreasonable.Theconsequencewas,thatshesuddenlyappearedtohimasanelegantdignifiedyounglady,insteadoftheroughlittlegirlheremembered.
Stillbelowhersomewhatformalmannerstherelurkedtheoldwildspirit,ashecouldplainlyseeafteralittlemorewatching;andhebegantowishtocallthisout,andtostrive,byremindingherofolddays,andallherchildishfrolics,toflavourhersubduedmannersandspeechwithalittleoftheformeroriginality.
Inthishesucceeded.Noone,neitherMr.Wilkins,norMissMonro,norMr.Ness,sawwhatthisyoungcouplewereabout——theydidnotknowitthemselves;butbeforethesummerwasovertheyweredesperatelyinlovewitheachother,orperhapsIshouldrathersay,Ellinorwasdesperatelyinlovewithhim——he,aspassionatelyashecouldbewithanyone;butinhimtheintellectwassuperiorinstrengthtoeitheraffectionsorpassions.
Thecausesoftheblindnessofthosearoundthemwerethese:Mr.
WilkinsstillconsideredEllinorasalittlegirl,ashisownpet,hisdarling,butnothingmore.MissMonrowasanxiousaboutherownimprovement.Mr.Nesswasdeepinaneweditionof\"Horace,\"whichhewasgoingtobringoutwithnotes.IbelieveDixonwouldhavebeenkeenersighted,butEllinorkeptMr.CorbetandDixonapartforobviousreasons——theywereeachherdearfriends,butsheknewthatMr.CorbetdidnotlikeDixon,andsuspectedthatthefeelingwasmutual.
Theonlychangeofcircumstancesbetweenthisyearandthepreviousoneconsistedinthisdevelopmentofattachmentbetweentheyoungpeople.Otherwise,everythingwentonapparentlyasusual.WithEllinorthecourseofthedaywassomethinglikethis:upearlyandintothegardenuntilbreakfasttime,whenshemadeteaforherfatherandMissMonrointhedining-room,alwaystakingcaretolayalittlenosegayoffreshly-gatheredflowersbyherfather\'splate.
Afterbreakfast,whentheconversationhadbeenongeneralandindifferentsubjects,Mr.Wilkinswithdrewintothelittlestudysooftenmentioned.Itopenedoutofapassagethatranbetweenthedining-roomandthekitchen,onthelefthandofthehall.
Correspondingtothedining-roomontheothersideofthehallwasthedrawing-room,withitsside-windowservingasadoorintoaconservatory,andthisagainopenedintothelibrary.OldMr.
Wilkinshadaddedasemicircularprojectiontothelibrary,whichwaslightedbyadomeabove,andshowedoffhisson\'sItalianpurchasesofsculpture.Thelibrarywasbyfarthemoststrikingandagreeableroominthehouse;andtheconsequencewasthatthedrawing-roomwasseldomused,andhadtheaspectofcolddiscomfortcommontoapartmentsrarelyoccupied.Mr.Wilkins\'sstudy,ontheothersideofthehouse,wasalsoanafterthought,builtonlyafewyearsago,andprojectingfromtheregularityoftheoutsidewall;alittlestonepassageledtoitfromthehall,small,narrow,anddark,andoutofwhichnootherdooropened.
Thestudyitselfwasahexagon,onesidewindow,onefireplace,andtheremainingfoursidesoccupiedwithdoors,twoofwhichhavebeenalreadymentioned,anotheratthefootofthenarrowwindingstairswhichledstraightintoMr.Wilkins\'sbedroomoverthedining-room,andthefourthopeningintoapaththroughtheshrubberytotherightoftheflower-gardenasyoulookedfromthehouse.Thispathledthroughthestable-yard,andthenbyashortcutrightintoHamley,andbroughtyououtclosetoMr.Wilkins\'soffice;itwasbythiswayhealwayswentandreturnedtohisbusiness.Heusedthestudyforasmokingandloungingroomprincipally,althoughhealwaysspokeofitasaconvenientplaceforholdingconfidentialcommunicationswithsuchofhisclientsasdidnotlikediscussingtheirbusinesswithinthepossiblehearingofalltheclerksinhisoffice.Bytheouterdoorhecouldalsopasstothestables,andseethatpropercarewastakenatalltimesofhisfavouriteandvaluablehorses.IntothisstudyEllinorwouldfollowhimofamorning,helpinghimonwithhisgreat-coat,mendinghisgloves,talkinganinfinitedealofmerryfondnothing;andthen,clingingtohisarm,shewouldaccompanyhiminhisvisitstothestables,goinguptotheshyesthorses,andpettingthem,andpattingthem,andfeedingthemwithbreadallthetimethatherfatherheldconversewithDixon.Whenhewasfinallygone——andsometimesitwasalongtimefirst——shereturnedtotheschoolroomtoMissMonro,andtriedtosetherselfhardatworkonherlessons.Butshehadnotmuchtimeforsteadyapplication;ifherfatherhadcaredforherprogressinanything,shewouldandcouldhaveworkedhardatthatstudyoraccomplishment;butMr.
Wilkins,theeaseandpleasurelovingman,didnotwishtomakehimselfintothepedagogue,ashewouldhaveconsideredit,ifhehadeverquestionedEllinorwitharealsteadypurposeofascertainingherintellectualprogress.Itwasquiteenoughforhimthathergeneralintelligenceandvarietyofdesultoryandmiscellaneousreadingmadeherapleasantandagreeablecompanionforhishoursofrelaxation.
Attwelveo\'clock,Ellinorputawayherbookswithjoyfuleagerness,kissedMissMonro,askedheriftheyshouldgoaregularwalk,andwasalwaysratherthankfulwhenitwasdecidedthatitwouldbebettertostrollinthegarden——adecisionveryoftencometo,forMissMonrohatedfatigue,hateddirt,hatedscrambling,anddreadedrain;allofwhichareevils,thechancesofwhichareneverfardistantfromcountrywalks.SoEllinordancedoutintothegarden,workedawayamongherflowers,playedattheoldgamesamongtherootsofthetrees,and,whenshecould,seducedDixonintotheflower-gardentohavealittleconsultationastothehorsesanddogs.Foritwasoneofherfather\'sfewstrictrulesthatEllinorwasnevertogointothestable-yardunlesshewerewithher;sothesetete-a-teteswithDixonwerealwaysheldintheflower-garden,orbitofforestgroundsurroundingit.MissMonrosatandbaskedinthesun,closetothedial,whichmadethecentreofthegayflower-
beds,uponwhichthedining-roomandstudywindowslooked.
Atoneo\'clock,EllinorandMissMonrodined.AnhourwasallowedforMissMonro\'sdigestion,whichEllinoragainspentoutofdoors,andatthree,lessonsbeganagainandlastedtillfive.Atthattimetheywenttodresspreparatoryfortheschoolroomteaathalf-pastfive.AfterteaEllinortriedtoprepareherlessonsforthenextday;butallthetimeshewaslisteningforherfather\'sfootstep——
themomentsheheardthat,shedasheddownherbook,andflewoutoftheroomtowelcomeandkisshim.Sevenwashisdinner-hour;hehardlyeverdinedalone;indeed,heoftendinedfromhomefourdaysoutofseven,andwhenhehadnoengagementtotakehimouthelikedtohavesomeonetokeephimcompany:Mr.Nessveryoften,Mr.
CorbetalongwithhimifhewasinHamley,astrangerfriend,oroneofhisclients.Sometimes,reluctantly,andwhenhefanciedhecouldnotavoidtheattentionwithoutgivingoffence,Mr.WilkinswouldaskMr.Dunster,andthenthetwowouldalwaysfollowEllinorintothelibraryataveryearlyhour,asiftheirsubjectsfortete-a-teteconversationwerequiteexhausted.Withallhisothervisitors,Mr.
Wilkinssatlong——yes,andyearlylonger;withMr.Ness,becausetheybecameinterestedineachother\'sconversation;withsomeoftheothers,becausethewinewasgood,andthehosthatedtospareit.
Mr.CorbetusedtoleavehistutorandMr.Wilkinsandsaunterintothelibrary.TheresatEllinorandMissMonro,eachbusywiththeirembroidery.HewouldbringastooltoEllinor\'sside,questionandteaseher,interesther,andtheywouldbecomeentirelyabsorbedineachother,MissMonro\'ssenseofproprietybeingentirelysetatrestbytheconsiderationthatMr.Wilkinsmustknowwhathewasaboutinallowingayoungmantobecomethusintimatewithhisdaughter,who,afterall,wasbutachild.
Mr.CorbethadlatelyfallenintothehabitofwalkinguptoFordBankforTheTimeseveryday,neartwelveo\'clock,andloungingaboutinthegardenuntilone;notexactlywitheitherEllinororMissMonro,butcertainlyfarmoreatthebeckandcalloftheonethanoftheother.
MissMonrousedtothinkhewouldhavebeengladtostayandlunchattheirearlydinner,butshenevergavetheinvitation,andhecouldnotwellstaywithoutherexpressedsanction.HetoldEllinorallabouthismotherandsisters,andtheirwaysofgoingon,andspokeofthemandofhisfatherasofpeopleshewasonedaycertaintoknow,andtoknowintimately;andshedidnotquestionordoubtthisviewofthings;shesimplyacquiesced.
Hehadsomediscussionwithhimselfastowhetherheshouldspeaktoher,andsosecureherpromisetobehisbeforereturningtoCambridgeornot.HedidnotliketheformalityofanapplicationtoMr.Wilkins,whichwould,afterall,havebeentheproperandstraightforwardcoursetopursuewithagirlofherage——shewasbarelysixteen.NotthatheanticipatedanydifficultyonMr.
>###第3章
Wilkins\'spart;hisapprovaloftheintimacywhichattheirrespectiveageswasprettysuretoleadtoanattachment,wasmadeasevidentascouldbebyactionswithoutwords.Buttherewouldhavetobereferencetohisownfather,whohadnonotionofthewholeaffair,andwouldbesuretotreatitasaboyishfancy;asifattwenty-oneRalphwasnotaman,asclearanddeliberativeinknowinghisownmind,asresoluteasheeverwouldbeindecidinguponthecourseofexertionthatshouldleadhimtoindependenceandfame,ifsuchweretobeattainedbyclearintellectandastrongwill.
No;toMr.Wilkinshewouldnotspeakforanotheryearortwo.
ButshouldhetellEllinorindirecttermsofhislove——hisintentiontomarryher?
Againheinclinedtothemoreprudentcourseofsilence.Hewasnotafraidofanychangeinhisowninclinations:ofthemhewassure.
Buthelookeduponitinthisway:Ifhemadearegulardeclarationtohershewouldbeboundtotellittoherfather.Heshouldnotrespectherorlikehersomuchifshedidnot.Andyetthiscoursewouldleadtoalltheconversations,anddiscussions,andreferencestohisownfather,whichmadehisowndirectappealtoMr.Wilkinsappearaprematuresteptohim.
WhereashewasassureofEllinor\'sloveforhimasifshehadutteredallthevowsthatwomeneverspoke;heknewevenbetterthanshedidhowfullyandentirelythatinnocentgirlishheartwashisown.Hewastooproudtodreadherinconstancyforaninstant;
\"besides,\"ashewentontohimself,asiftomakeassurancedoublysure,\"whomdoesshesee?ThosestupidHolsters,whooughttobeonlytooproudofhavingsuchagirlfortheircousin,ignoreherexistence,andspokeslightinglyofherfatheronlytheverylasttimeIdinedthere.ThecountrypeopleinthispreciselyBoeotian——
shireclutchatmebecausemyfathergoesuptothePlantagenetsforhispedigree——notonewhitformyself——andneglectEllinor;andonlycondescendtoherfatherbecauseoldWilkinswasnobody-knows-who\'sson.Somuchtheworseforthem,butsomuchthebetterformeinthiscase.I\'mabovetheirsillyantiquatedprejudices,andshallbeonlytoogladwhenthefittingtimecomestomakeEllinormywife.
Afterall,aprosperousattorney\'sdaughtermaynotbeconsideredanunsuitablematchforme——youngersonasIam.Ellinorwillmakeagloriouswomanthreeorfouryearshence;justthestylemyfatheradmires——suchafigure,suchlimbs.I\'llbepatient,andbidemytime,andwatchmyopportunities,andallwillcomeright.\"
SohebadeEllinorfarewellinamostreluctantandaffectionatemanner,althoughhiswordsmighthavebeenspokenoutinHamleymarket-place,andwerelittledifferentfromwhathesaidtoMissMonro.Mr.Wilkinshalfexpectedadisclosuretohimselfofthelovewhichhesuspectedintheyoungman;andwhenthatdidnotcome,hepreparedhimselfforaconfidencefromEllinor.Butshehadnothingtotellhim,asheverywellperceivedfromthechild\'sopenunembarrassedmannerwhentheywereleftalonetogetherafterdinner.
Hehadrefusedaninvitation,andshakenoffMr.Ness,inordertohavethisconfidentialtete-a-tetewithhismotherlessgirl;andtherewasnothingtomakeconfidenceof.Hewashalfinclinedtobeangry;butthenhesawthat,althoughsad,shewassomuchatpeacewithherselfandwiththeworld,thathe,alwaysanoptimist,begantothinktheyoungmanhaddonewiselyinnottearingopentherosebudofherfeelingstooprematurely.
Thenexttwoyearspassedoverinmuchthesameway——oracarelessspectatormighthavethoughtso.Ihaveheardpeoplesay,thatifyoulookataregimentadvancingwithsteadystepoveraplainonareview-day,youcanhardlytellthattheyarenotmerelymarkingtimeononespotofground,unlessyoucomparetheirpositionwithsomeotherobjectbywhichtomarktheirprogress,soevenistherepetitionofthemovement.Andthusthesadeventsofthefuturelifeofthisfatheranddaughterwerehardlyperceivedintheirsteadyadvance,andyetoverthemonotonyandflatuniformityoftheirdayssorrowcamemarchingdownuponthemlikeanarmedman.
LongbeforeMr.Wilkinshadrecogniseditsshape,itwasapproachinghiminthedistance——as,infact,itisapproachingallofusatthisverytime;you,reader,I,writer,haveeachourgreatsorrowbearingdownuponus.Itmaybeyetbeyondthedimmestpointofourhorizon,butinthestillnessofthenightourheartsshrinkatthesoundofitscomingfootstep.WellisitforthosewhofallintothehandsoftheLordratherthanintothehandsofmen;butworstofallisitforhimwhohashereaftertominglethegallofremorsewiththecupheldouttohimbyhisdoom.
Mr.Wilkinstookhiseaseandhispleasureyetmoreandmoreeveryyearofhislife;nordidthequalityofhiseaseandhispleasureimprove;itseldomdoeswithself-indulgentpeople.Hecaredlessforanybooksthatstrainedhisfacultiesalittle——lessforengravingsandsculptures——perhapsmoreforpictures.Hespentextravagantlyonhishorses;\"thoughtofeatinganddrinking.\"Therewasnoopenviceinallthis,sothatanyawfultemptationtocrimeshouldcomedownuponhim,andstartlehimoutofhismodeofthinkingandliving;halfthepeopleabouthimdidmuchthesame,asfarastheirliveswerepatenttohisunreflectingobservation.Butmostofhisassociateshadtheirdutiestodo,anddidthemwithaheartandawill,inthehourswhenhewasnotintheircompany.
Yes!Icallthemduties,thoughsomeofthemmightbeself-imposedandpurelysocial;theywereengagementstheyhadenteredinto,eithertacitlyorwithwords,andthattheyfulfilled.FromMr.
Hetherington,theMasteroftheHounds,whowasupat——nooneknowswhathour,togodowntothekennelandseethatthemendidtheirworkwellandthoroughly,tosternoldSirLionelPlayfair,theuprightmagistrate,thethoughtful,conscientiouslandlord——theydidtheirworkaccordingtotheirlights;therewerefewlaggardsamongthosewithwhomMr.Wilkinsassociatedinthefieldoratthedinner-
table.Mr.Ness——thoughasaclergymanhewasnotsoactiveashemighthavebeen——yetevenMr.Nessfaggedawaywithhispupilsandhisneweditionofoneoftheclassics.OnlyMr.Wilkins,dissatisfiedwithhisposition,neglectedtofulfilthedutiesthereof.Heimitatedthepleasures,andlongedforthefanciedleisureofthoseabouthim;leisurethatheimaginedwouldbesomuchmorevaluableinthehandsofamanlikehimself,fullofintellectualtastesandaccomplishments,thanfritteredawaybydullboorsofuntravelled,uncultivatedsquires——whosecompany,however,beitsaidbytheway,heneverrefused.
AndyetdailyMr.Wilkinswassinkingfromtheintellectuallytothesensuallyself-indulgentman.Helaylateinbed,andhatedMr.
Dunsterforhissignificantglanceattheoffice-clockwhenheannouncedtohismasterthatsuchandsuchaclienthadbeenwaitingmorethananhourtokeepanappointment.\"Whydidn\'tyouseehimyourself,Dunster?I\'msureyouwouldhavedonequiteaswellasme,\"Mr.Wilkinssometimesreplied,partlywithaviewofsayingsomethingpleasanttothemanwhomhedislikedandfeared.Mr.
Dunsteralwaysreplied,inameekmatter-of-facttone,\"Oh,sir,theywouldn\'tliketotalkovertheiraffairswithasubordinate.\"
Andeverytimehesaidthis,orsomespeechofthesamekind,theideacamemoreandmoreclearlyintoMr.Wilkins\'shead,ofhowpleasantitwouldbetohimselftotakeDunsterintopartnership,andthusthrowalltheresponsibilityoftherealworkanddrudgeryuponhisclerk\'sshoulders.Importunateclients,whowouldmakeappointmentsatunseasonablehoursandwouldkeeptothem,mightconfideinthepartner,thoughtheywouldnotintheclerk.Thegreatobjectionstothiscoursewere,firstandforemost,Mr.
Wilkins\'sstrongdisliketoMr.Dunster——hisrepugnancetohiscompany,hisdress,hisvoice,hisways——allofwhichirritatedhisemployer,tillhisstateoffeelingtowardsDunstermightbecalledantipathy;next,Mr.WilkinswasfullyawareofthefactthatallMr.
Dunster\'sactionsandwordswerecarefullyandthoughtfullypre-
arrangedtofurtherthegreatunspokendesireofhislife——thatofbeingmadeapartnerwherehenowwasonlyaservant.Mr.WilkinstookamaliciouspleasureintantalizingMr.DunsterbysuchspeechesastheoneIhavejustmentioned,whichalwaysseemedlikeanopeningtothedesiredend,butstillforalongtimeneverledanyfurther.
Yetallthewhilethatendwasbecomingmoreandmorecertain,andatlastitwasreached.
Mr.Dunsteralwayssuspectedthatthefinalpushwasgivenbysomecircumstancefromwithout;somereprimandforneglect——somethreatofwithdrawalofbusinesswhichhisemployerhadreceived;butofthishecouldnotbecertain;allheknewwas,thatMr.Wilkinsproposedthepartnershiptohiminaboutasungraciousawayassuchanoffercouldbemade;anungraciousnesswhich,afterall,hadsolittleeffectontherealmatterinhand,thatMr.Dunstercouldpassoveritwithaprivatesneer,whiletakingallpossibleadvantageofthetangiblebenefititwasnowinhispowertoaccept.
Mr.Corbet\'sattachmenttoEllinorhadbeenformallydisclosedtoherjustbeforethistime.Hehadleftcollege,enteredattheMiddleTemple,andwasfaggingawayatlaw,andfeelingsuccessinhisownpower;Ellinorwasto\"comeout\"atthenextHamleyassemblies;andherloverbegantobejealousofthepossibleadmirersherstrikingappearanceandpiquantconversationmightattract,andthoughtitagoodtimetomakethesuccessofhissuitcertainbyspokenwordsandpromises.
Heneedednothavealarmedhimselfevenenoughtomakehimtakethisstep,ifhehadbeencapableofunderstandingEllinor\'sheartasfullyashedidherappearanceandconversation.Shenevermissedtheabsenceofformalwordsandpromises.Sheconsideredherselfasfullyengagedtohim,asmuchpledgedtomarryhimandnooneelse,beforehehadaskedthefinalquestion,asafterwards.Shewasrathersurprisedatthenecessityforthosedecisivewords,\"Ellinor,dearest,willyou——canyoumarryme?\"andherreplywas——
givenwithadeepblushImustrecord,andinasoftmurmuringtone-
\"Yes——oh,yes——Ineverthoughtofanythingelse.\"
\"ThenImayspeaktoyourfather,maynotI,darling?\"
\"Heknows;Iamsureheknows;andhelikesyousomuch.Oh,howhappyIam!\"
\"ButstillImustspeaktohimbeforeIgo.WhencanIseehim,myEllinor?Imustgobacktotownatfouro\'clock.\"
\"Iheardhisvoiceinthestable-yardonlyjustbeforeyoucame.Letmegoandfindoutifheisgonetotheofficeyet.\"
No!tobesurehewasnotgone.Hewasquietlysmokingacigarinhisstudy,sittinginaneasy-chairneartheopenwindow,andleisurelyglancingatalltheadvertisementsinTheTimes.HehatedgoingtotheofficemoreandmoresinceDunsterhadbecomeapartner;
thatfellowgavehimselfsuchairsofinvestigationandreprehension.
Hegotup,tookthecigaroutofhismouth,andplacedachairforMr.Corbet,knowingwellwhyhehadthusformallyprefacedhisentranceintotheroomwitha-
\"CanIhaveafewminutes\'conversationwithyou,Mr.Wilkins?\"
\"Certainly,mydearfellow.Sitdown.Willyouhaveacigar?\"
\"No!Ineversmoke.\"Mr.Corbetdespisedallthesekindsofindulgences,andputalittleseverityintohisrefusal,butquiteunintentionally;forthoughhewasthankfulhewasnotasothermen,hewasnotatallthepersontotroublehimselfunnecessarilywiththeirreformation.
\"IwanttospeaktoyouaboutEllinor.Shesaysshethinksyoumustbeawareofourmutualattachment.\"
\"Well,\"saidMr.Wilkins——hehadresumedhiscigar,partlytoconcealhisagitationatwhatheknewwascoming——\"IbelieveIhavehadmysuspicions.ItisnotverylongsinceIwasyoungmyself.\"AndhesighedovertherecollectionofLettice,andhisfresh,hopefulyouth.
\"AndIhope,sir,asyouhavebeenawareofit,andhavenevermanifestedanydisapprobationofit,thatyouwillnotrefuseyourconsent——aconsentInowaskyoufor——toourmarriage.\"
Mr.Wilkinsdidnotspeakforalittlewhile——atouch,athought,awordmorewouldhavebroughthimtotears;foratthelasthefoundithardtogivetheconsentwhichwouldparthimfromhisonlychild.
Suddenlyhegotup,andputtinghishandintothatoftheanxiouslover(forhissilencehadrenderedMr.Corbetanxiousuptoacertainpointofperplexity——hecouldnotunderstandtheimpliedhewouldandhewouldnot),Mr.Wilkinssaid,\"Yes!Godblessyouboth!Iwillgivehertoyou,someday——onlyitmustbealongtimefirst.Andnowgoaway——gobacktoher——forI
can\'tstandthismuchlonger.\"
Mr.CorbetreturnedtoEllinor.Mr.Wilkinssatdownandburiedhisheadinhishands,thenwenttohisstable,andhadWildfiresaddledforagoodgallopoverthecountry.Mr.Dunsterwaitedforhiminvainattheoffice,whereanobstinateoldcountrygentlemanfromadistantpartoftheshirewouldignoreDunster\'sexistenceasapartner,andpertinaciouslydemandedtoseeMr.Wilkinsonimportantbusiness.
CHAPTERV.
Afewdaysafterwards,Ellinor\'sfatherbethoughthimselfthatsamefurthercommunicationoughttotakeplacebetweenhimandhisdaughter\'sloverregardingtheapprovalofthefamilyofthelattertotheyoungman\'sengagement,andheaccordinglywroteaverygentlemanlyletter,sayingthatofcoursehetrustedthatRalphhadinformedhisfatherofhisengagement;thatMr.CorbetwaswellknowntoMr.Wilkinsbyreputation,holdingthepositionwhichhedidinShropshire,butthatasMr.Wilkinsdidnotpretendtobeinthesamestationoflife,Mr.Corbetmightpossiblyneverevenhaveheardofhisname,althoughinhisowncountyitwaswellknownashavingbeenforgenerationsthatoftheprincipalconveyancerandland-agentof——
shire;thathiswifehadbeenamemberoftheoldknightlyfamilyofHolsters,andthathehimselfwasdescendedfromayoungerbranchoftheSouthWalesDeWintons,orWilkins;thatEllinor,ashisonlychild,wouldnaturallyinheritallhisproperty,butthatinthemeantime,ofcourse,somesettlementuponherwouldhemade,thenatureofwhichmightbedecidednearerthetimeofthemarriage.
ItwasaverygoodstraightforwardletterandwellfittedforthepurposetowhichMr.Wilkinsknewitwouldbeapplied——ofbeingforwardedtotheyoungman\'sfather.Onewouldhavethoughtthatitwasnotanengagementsodisproportionateinpointofstationastocauseanygreatoppositiononthatscore;but,unluckily,CaptainCorbet,theheirandeldestson,hadjustformedasimilarengagementwithLadyMariaBrabant,thedaughterofoneoftheproudestearlsin——shire,whohadalwaysresentedMr.Wilkins\'sappearanceonthefieldasaninsulttothecounty,andignoredhispresenceateverydinner-tablewheretheymet.LadyMariawasvisitingtheCorbetsattheverytimewhenRalph\'sletter,enclosingMr.Wilkins\'s,reachedthepaternalhalls,andshemerelyrepeatedherfather\'sopinionswhenMrs.CorbetandherdaughtersnaturallyquestionedherastowhotheseWilkinseswere;theyrememberedthenameinRalph\'slettersformerly;thefatherwassomefriendofMr.Ness\'s,theclergymanwithwhomRalphhadread;theybelievedRalphusedtodinewiththeseWilkinsessometimes,alongwithMr.Ness.
LadyMariawasagoodnaturedgirl,andmeantnoharminrepeatingherfather\'swords;touchedup,itistrue,bysomeofthedislikesheherselffelttotheintimateallianceproposed,whichwouldmakehersister-in-lawtothedaughterofan\"upstartattorney,\"\"notreceivedinthecounty,\"\"alwaystryingtopushhiswayintothesetabovehim,\"\"claimingconnectionwiththeDeWintonsof——Castle,who,asshewellknew,onlylaughedwhenhewasspokenof,andsaidtheyweremorerichinrelationsthantheywereawareof\"——\"notpeoplepapawouldeverlikehertoknow,whatevermightbethefamilyconnection.\"
Theselittlespeechestoldinawaywhichthegirlwhoutteredthemdidnotintendtheyshould.Mrs.CorbetandherdaughterssetthemselvesviolentlyagainstthisfoolishentanglementofRalph\'s;
theywouldnotcallitanengagement.Theyargued,andtheyurged,andtheypleaded,tillthesquire,anxiousforpeaceatanyprice,andalwaysmoreundertheswayofthepeoplewhowerewithhim,howeverunreasonabletheymightbe,thanoftheabsent,eventhoughthesehadthewisdomofSolomonortheprudenceandsagacityofhissonRalph,wroteanangryletter,sayingthat,asRalphwasofage,ofcoursehehadarighttopleasehimself,thereforeallhisfathercouldsaywas,thattheengagementwasnotatallwhateitherheorRalph\'smotherhadexpectedorhoped;thatitwasadegradationtothefamilyjustgoingtoallythemselveswithapeerofJamestheFirst\'screation;thatofcourseRalphmustdowhatheliked,butthatifhemarriedthisgirlhemustneverexpecttohaveherreceivedbytheCorbetsofCorbetHallasadaughter.Thesquirewasrathersatisfiedwithhisproduction,andtookittoshowittohiswife;butshedidnotthinkitwasstrongenough,andaddedalittlepostscript\"DEARRALPH,\"Though,assecondson,youareentitledtoBromleyatmydeath,yetIcandomuchtomaketheestateworthless.Hitherto,regardforyouhaspreventedmytakingstepsastosaleoftimber,&c.,whichwouldmateriallyincreaseyoursisters\'portions;thisjustmeasureIshallinfalliblytakeifIfindyoupersevereinkeepingtothissillyengagement.Yourfather\'sdisapprovalisalwaysasufficientreasontoallege.\"
Ralphwasannoyedatthereceiptoftheseletters,thoughheonlysmiledashelockedthemupinhisdesk.
\"Dearoldfather!howheblusters!Astomymother,sheisreasonablewhenItalktoher.OncegiveheradefiniteideaofwhatEllinor\'sfortunewillbe,andlether,ifshechooses,cutdownhertimber——athreatshehasheldovermeeversinceIknewwhatarocking-horsewas,andwhichIhaveknowntobeillegalthesetenyearspast——andshe\'llcomeround.IknowbetterthantheydohowReginaldhasrunuppost-obits,andasforthatvulgarhigh-bornLadyMariatheyareallsofullof,why,sheisaFlandersmaretomyEllinor,andhasnotasilverpennytocrossherselfwith,besides!
Ibidemytime,youdeargoodpeople!\"
Hedidnotthinkitnecessarytoreplytotheselettersimmediately,nordidheevenalludetotheircontentsinhistoEllinor.Mr.
Wilkins,whohadbeenverywellsatisfiedwithhisownlettertotheyoungman,andhadthoughtthatitmustbeequallyagreeabletoeveryone,wasnotatallsuspiciousofanydisapproval,becausethefactofadistinctsanctiononthepartofMr.RalphCorbet\'sfriendstohisengagementwasnotcommunicatedtohim.
AsforEllinor,shetrembledalloverwithhappiness.Suchasummerfortheblossomingofflowersandripeningoffruithadnotbeenknownforyears;itseemedtoherasifbountifullovingNaturewantedtofillthecupofEllinor\'sjoytooverflowing,andasifeverything,animateandinanimate,sympathisedwithherhappiness.
